The City of Bellevue reopened the beach at Newcastle Beach Park on Wednesday. Last week the beach area was closed due to increased levels of waterborne bacteria.

Recent testing conducted by King County indicates bacteria levels have decreased. While the swimming season is officially over, warmer weather may draw late-season water activities.

King County Water and Land Resources, in cooperation with local jurisdictions, routinely tests and monitors water quality at beaches on Lake Washington.

Swimming in areas with high bacteria can cause health concerns for some individuals. The Seattle-King County Public Health Department is responsible for determining the public health implications of bacteria monitoring results and under current regulations, local health officers determine whether a water body is polluted or not, on a case-by-case basis. For more information about lake bacteria, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/lakes/facts/bacteria.aspx.